While Americans began celebrating Valentine’s Day in the early 1700s, it wasn’t until the 1840s that it became a commercial holiday complete with mass-produced Valentine’s-themed goods.
Greeting cards, candy, flowers, and jewelry are Valentine’s-Day-Approved gifts and are among the most frequently gifted items (along with stuffed animals and perfume/cologne):
Contrary to stereotypes, the majority of men say they would love to receive flowers for Valentine’s Day:
Alas, 21% of them have never been so blessed:
This may upset primarily the young:
But, of course, they have the greatest chance of one day having their dreams come true.
What I’m saying is: “Go ahead! Buy your man some daisies!”
For more on Valentine’s Day, visit this fun graphic (via Chart Porn).
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 12
mercurianferret — February 13, 2011
Daisies? Not a chance. I want out-of-season flowers that are at least as expensive as what men "expected" to buy for the women: long-stem roses. Possibly one dozen. In a vase. Along with chocolates. And maybe with a diamond pendant... or ring. [/jk]
But seriously, other than "it's 'traditionally' men (in the United States) who buy women flowers (and chocolate, jewelery, dinner, etc) for Valentine's Day," why not that some men would expect women to buy them the equivalent stuff (e.g., roses, chocolate, etc) on Valentine's Day? Are you tapping into some daisies-are-for-Valentine's-Day messaging of which I'm just not aware?
Jeff — February 13, 2011
The math isn't right. The level of overlap between the 61% who would like to receive flowers and the 40% who have received them does not have to be complete. In fact, it could be that all men would like to receive flowers until it actually happens. Then, only 1/40 would like to continue receiving them. The "actual" numbers are probably closer to what was assumed in the post, but I still want to point that out.
Philip Harrover — February 14, 2011
except that math is consistently wrong here.
Paul — February 14, 2011
I'm a man and I would love to receive a bunch of flowers from time to time, be it in my birthday, aniversary or whatever. And the kind of flowers doesn't really mind.
Lindsay — February 14, 2011
Where are these statistics coming from?
Pswingset — February 14, 2011
As a 24 year old male, I'd love to get some flowers for a special occasion, especially if they were Fair Trade flowers!
Rebecca — February 15, 2011
Aww, I bought my guy some flowers at a shop about a month ago (just 'cause), and the shopkeeper kept asking "Are thistles masculine enough?" and "Is the purple paper ok?"
The funny thing is, his mother is a botanist, so he really loves flowers more than I do. If he buys me flowers, it's usually an excuse to get them for himself. <3